Top 10 Reasons to Visit Medellín, Colombia

There’s a reason Medellín is called the “City of Eternal Spring.” It has average year-round temperatures of 70°F to 80°F, making it easy and comfortable for travelers to explore the city. And if spring is your favorite season, you’ll feel at home in Medellín as you’ll see flowers everywhere, and you have a guaranteed scenic view of mountains and stunning landscapes.

It’s typical to feel welcome anywhere you go in Colombia, but in Medellín, the Paisas (people of Medellín and Antioquia) are incredibly friendly. They will often flash a smile at you in the street and strike up a conversation even if you don’t speak much Spanish. The people’s hospitality gives the city a more pleasant atmosphere as you explore the area on foot.

Local restaurants in Medellín make sampling Colombian delicacies an easy task. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, start with the bandeja paisa. It’s a platter of meat, beans, rice, plantain, avocado, and fried egg—an Antioquian specialty that you shouldn’t miss. Once you’re done with local favorites, explore neighborhoods like Laureles and El Poblado. These areas are known for rows of brilliant restaurants serving elevated Colombian cuisines.

Medellín is where some of the world’s best coffee is grown. So if you’re a huge coffee drinker, don’t leave Medellín without visiting coffee shops like Pergamino, Revolucion, and Cafe Velvet. These places offer extensive menus of artisanal coffee and hot chocolate you won’t find outside the tropics. You can also sign up for tasting and coffee plantation tours.

You have scenic views of the mountains from nearly everywhere in Medellín. It’s also easy to get out of the city and experience nature. All you have to do is ride the metro cable, which can take you to Parque Arvi. It’s a public nature park where you can go on bike rides or guided hikes through the forest. Want something more off-grid?

Medellín is only a few hours away from the town of Guatape, where you can climb the massive rock called El Peñol.

If you’re an adventurous traveler, you can go paragliding and be mesmerized by the sprawling landscape of Medellín. Plus, with the sun shining almost all year round, you’re guaranteed to get the best video of this experience. Go to San Felix, a small town on the outskirts of Medellín, to be guided by one of the brilliant paragliding clubs in the area.

Medellín is a practical base from which you can explore more rural parts of Antioquia. Charming pueblos or towns like Guatape, Jardin, and Santa Fe de Antioquia are only a few hours away. You can visit these towns on weekends or on guided day trips to experience the coffee farms, breathtaking nature, and Caribbean coastline.

After a day of walking and exploring the city, drink the night away in Parque Lleras. It’s a party hub located in the neighborhood of El Poblado. It’s full of restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy your mojito. Also, don’t forget that Colombians know how to groove. Go salsa dancing and have a fun night with locals in El Eslabon Prendido, the city’s oldest bar.

In Medellín, quality doesn’t have to come at a high price. The city prides itself on offering luxurious experiences that are accessible to travelers on various budgets. From boutique hotels and gourmet dining to guided cultural excursions, Medellín provides options that are both affordable and enriching. Plus, public transportation like the metro and the metro cable make getting around both economical and convenient.

Comuna 13 used to be the city’s most notorious neighborhood, but it has gone through an incredible transformation in recent years. It has become a vibrant neighborhood, with rows of graffitis acknowledging its darks past while embracing a hopeful future. It also has modern orange escalators, a symbolic feature to reunite Comuna 13 with the rest of Medellín. So when in Medellín, be sure to include a Comuna 13 tour in your Colombian travel itinerary.